Are U.S. women’s latest uniforms the ugliest yet?

Abby Wambach of the U.S. (left) battles for the ball with Jong Sun Song of North Korea during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Group C match between USA and Korea at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion on June 28, 2011 in Dresden, Germany. (Boris Streubel/Getty Images) | Click picture for photo gallery of U.S. women’s team uniforms over the years.

The new uniforms that the U.S. national team debuted in this year’s Women’s World Cup looks like a nurse’s uniform, according to critics.

“They want you to know, for sure, that this is a not a man’s shirt. So the FIFA #1 ranked women’s team will go to Germany in a nurse’s uniform,” the blog From a Left Wing complained after Nike and the U.S. Soccer Federation unveiled the kit in April. “This is quite simply the ugliest women’s football jersey I have ever seen. It’s central problem is the line someone has drawn down middle of the shirt – a purely decorous gesture meant to create the impression that the USSF would like its women to play in an open necked blouse.”

Nike and U.S. Soccer said: “The kit is designed specifically for the female athlete, to enhance the range of motion and create a uniquely feminine silhouette. Capped sleeves and a high neckline with v-neck piping were added to create a striking aesthetic. … The away kit features a black bodice and red piping inspired by the beautiful but deadly Black Widow spider.”

Even if you don’t like the shirts, take heart in the knowledge that they’re “made entirely from recycled polyester, produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles per jersey.”